Towel straightening apparatus



A11g 30, 1955 J. T. MaclsAAc, JR., ET AL 2,716,266

TOWEL STRAIGHTENING APPARATUS Filed April 24, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet l JOHN T'. Mads/mc JR, FRANK W. BREY and ROBERT A. HILL.

m' g P ATTORNEYS` Aug. 30, 1955 J. T. MaclsAAc, JR., ET AL 2,715,266

TOWEL STRAIGHTENING APPARATUS Filed April 24, 1953 5 Sheecs-Sheel 2 FRANK W BREY and ROBERT A. HILL,

ATTORNEYS.

IN VENTORS.

Aug. 3o, 1955 Filed April 24, 1953 J. T. MaClSAAC, JR., ET AL TOWEL STRAIGHTENING APPARATUS 5 SheetS-Shee 3 l.\ VENTORSI JOHN T Mndsmc JR, FRANK W. BREY and RoBERT A. HILL.

ATTORNEYS.I

J. T. MaclsAAc, JR.. ET Al. 2,716,266

Aug. 30, 1955 TOWEL STRAIGHTENING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed April 24, 1955 And 32 llilll om 5 J Vfl civ .,R AE MY AR IV.. :6 B HY C A Wd Al M Kn .m IMJ NR 0 wr R J MNM Aug. 30, 1955 J. T. MaGlsAAc, JR., ET AL 2,715,256

TOWEL STRAIGHTENING APPARATUS JOHN T. Mnclsnnc JR, FRANK W. BREv 7 and ROBERT A. HILL.

13x' ,n v* M ATT( )RNEYS United States Patent O TOWEL STRAIGHTENING APPARATUS John T. Maclsaac, Jr., Frank W. Brey, and Robert A. Hill,

Spray, N. C., assgnors, by mesne assignments, to Fieldcrest Mills, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Application April 24, 1953, Serial No. 350,942

18 Claims. (Cl. 21S-51.4)

This invention generally relates to weft straighteners and, more especially, to an improved apparatus for maintaining recurrent transverse lineal areas of a web material, such as toweling and the like, perpendicular or at right angles to the path of travel of the web material, and

wherein the transverse areas are of a greater or lesser thickness than the intervening areas.

In View of the fact that the present invention is particularly provided for straightening relatively thin transverse areas in toweling, reference will be predominantly made to toweling throughout the specification, although it is to be understood that any type of web material having recurrent transverse lineal areas of a thickness varying with respect to the intervening areas may be straightened weft-wise to prevent skew therein, by means of the present apparatus.

lt is well known that most towels, known as terry towels, are predominantly formed with relatively thick pile areas and opposite ends of each towel are formed with transverse lineal areas which are devoid of the pile and are thus relatively thin as compared to the pile areas of the towels. When terry towels are woven, they are formed in a relatively long strip of web material which has recurrent relatively narrow transverse or crosswise lineal areas on which there is no pile and these lineal areas are provided to facilitate locating the line along which the individual towels are severed, as well as providing a neat hem at opposite ends thereof.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide means controlled by the variations in thickness of the toweling or other web material for controlling the by each feeler for restraining the corresponding portions of the toweling from movement in the event that all of the feelers are not disposed in a common position. For example, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a table over which the web material passes and, in the event of a relatively thin lineal area in the web material being biased or skewed, one of a pair of feelers adjacent one selvage of the web material would assume a lower or higher position than the other of the pair of feelers disposed adjacent the other of the selvages of the web material.

Each of the feelers is connected to a corresponding clamping means by an electrical circuit arranged in series between the feelers so that, in the event of both of the feelers being either raised or lowered by the presence or absence of pile on the toweling, neither of the feelers will actuate its corresponding clamping means. On the other hand, upon either of the feelers being lowered in advance of the other of the feelers, then, the clamping means corresponding to the lowered feeler would be operated thereby to move downwardly and clamp the corresponding -portion of the web material or toweling against the upper surface of the table. This occurs in event of the rela- 2,716,266 Patented Aug. 30, 1955 ICC tively thin lateral or transverse lineal area being askew relative to the longitudinal center of the toweling and wherein `the relatively thin area would approach one of the feelers before it did the other of the feelers.

Assuming that one selvage of the toweling is advancing ahead of the other, the feeler at said one selvage would be lowered and the clamping means would thus clamp the corresponding selvage of the toweling against the table until the opposite selvage of the toweling had moved to where the relatively thin transverse area registered with the other of the feelers. It is evident that the other of the feelers would then also move downwardly to thus break the circuit to the clamping member which had previously been moved to clamping position, causing the same to release the toweling so that the entire width of the toweling may then continue its movement across the table.

Thus, the relatively thin transverse lineal areas are maintained at right angles or perpendicular to the path of travel of the toweling to thereby insure that the usual automatic severing devices to which the toweling may be directed from the improved straightening apparatus will accurately sever the toweling along a line perpendicular or at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the moving web or strip of toweling.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a table showing a let-off roll and a take-up roll with a table therebetween and between which the toweling or web material passes, and showing the improved towel straightening apparatus in association therewith;

Figure 2 is a View looking at the right-hand side of the upper portion of Figure l, but showing one of the clamping devices in lowered or operative position for restraining movement of the right-hand portion of the toweling toward the observer in Figure 2;

Figure 3 is a View looking at the opposite side of the towel straightening apparatus from that shown in Figure 2, omitting the left-hand portion of the apparatus in Figure 3 and showing both of the clamping devices in inoperative position;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the structure shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional View taken substantially along the line 5 5 in Figure 3 and showing the clamping means in raised or inoperative position;

Figure 6 is a view similar to the lower portion of Figure 5, but showing one of the feelers in lowered position and the lower portion of the corresponding clamping means is also being in lowered or operative position;

Figure 7 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical circuit for the improved towel straightening apparatus.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a suitable platform or table, across the upper surface of which a strip of toweling or other web material T is passed. The table 10 is carried by a suitable horizontally disposed frame member 11 supported on legs 12 and 13; Suitably journaled rearwardly and forwardly of the legs 12 and 13 are a let-olf or'feed roll 15 and a suitably driven take-up roll 16 and the strip of toweling T is withdrawn from the roll 15 by the roll In its course, the sheet or strip of toweling T passes upwardly from the roll 15, horizontally across the table or platform 10 and then downwardly and about the roll 16. The roll 16 may be driven in any desired manner and an illustration of the driving means therefor, is deemed unnecessary. As a matter of fact, the roll 16 is merely exemplary of any type of take-up mechanism 3 and the toweling,l in itscourse past the` take-up mechanism, may pass through a suitable severing means, not shown, if so desired.

In the present instance, the strip or sheet of web material T is shown in the form of a strip of terry toweling having recurrent thick or pile areas T-1 thereon whose junctures are -delned by intervening relatively thin transverse lineal areas T-2. These areas T-2 may also be Vtermed as non-pile areas. Now, it is necessary that the transverse lineal areas T-2 extend perpendicular or at right angles to the longitudinal aXis of the strip of toweling or web material T asthe toweling is takenup by the take-up mechanism embodied in the roll 16, or as the toweling is directed to a subsequent severing operation, to thereby insure that the toweling may be severed transversely thereof along lines substantially bisecting each of the relatively thin transverse lineal areas T-2, to provide for the forming of a neat hem on opposite ends of each individual towel and wherein the hem extends perpendicular or at right angles to the selvages or longitudinal axis of each individual towel.

To this end, we have provided an improved towel or web straightening apparatus comprising a pair of transversely spaced feeler devices broadly designated at 20 and v20 which control respective clamping devices broadly designated at 21 and 21. Each of the feeler devices 20 and 20 and their respective clamping devices 21 and 21' are adjustable transversely of the path of travel of Ythe web material or sheet of toweling T and are positioned above the table or platform and should be so adjusted that the feeler devices engage the upper surface of the sheet of toweling at points adjacent, but inwardly of, the respective selvages or longitudinal side edges of the strip or sheet of toweling or web material T. Since both of the feeler devices and 20 are identical and both of the clamping devices 21 and 21 are identical, only the feeler device 20 and the clamping device 21 will be -described in detail and like parts associated with the feeler device 20' and the clamping device 21 will bear the same reference characters with the prime nota- ,tion added.

The feeler device 20 is in the form of a lever or bell crank having a relatively broad flat bottomed feeler foot 22 which is preferably curved upwardly and outwardly at its front and rear ends with respect to the direction yof travel of the toweling T and which rests upon the toweling T as it passes over the table or platform 10. The feeler foot 22 is Xed to a relatively short arm 23 of the lever 20 and is pivotally connected, as at 24, to

a bracket 25. The lever 20 also has a relatively long arm 26 which serves as a weight means to cause feeler foot 22 to bear against the upper surface of the strip or sheet vof toweling or web material T.

The upper end of the arm 26 has a pivoted switch supporting member 27 resting thereon which is pivotally mounted, as at 30, on the rear portion of the bracket 25. The member 27 rests upon the arm 26 so that, when the corresponding feeler foot 22 is resting upon a relatively thick or pile area T-1 of the strip or sheet of toweling or web material T, the member 27 will cause a switch 32 to be opened while, on the other hand, upon a relatlvely thin area T-2 passing beneath the feeler foot 22, .the arm 26 of the lever 20 will move downwardly whereupon the member 27 is adapted to close the switch 32. In this instance, the switch 32 is shown in the form of a mercury switch and is suitably secured to the switch supporting member 27. The ball of mercury or other l1qu1d conductor material in switch 32 is indicated at 33 1n Figure 7. The switches 32 and 32 are interposed in an electrical circuit to be later -described for controlling operation of the corresponding clamping devices 21 and l The bracket 25. is suitably secured to a block 34 mounti .ednforglateral sliding movement, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the strip or sheet of toweling or web material T, on a pair of guide rods 35 and 36, opposite ends of which are Xed to standards 37 and 38 supported by the frame member 11. The blocks 34 and 34 are threadably penetrated by respective threaded portions 39 and 39 of a common adjustment shaft 40 rotatably mounted in the standards 37 and 38 and being suitably restrained from end-wise movement therein. One end of shaft 40 has a suitable hand wheel 43 Xed thereon to facilitate manually rotating the adjustment shaft 40 and to thereby vary the distance between the feeler devices 20 and 20' and the clamping devices 21 and 21'.

As heretofore stated, only the clamping device 21 will be described in detail and like parts associated with the clamping device 21 will bear the same reference characters with the prime notation added. There are various ways in which the clamping device 21 may be constructed and made electrically responsive to variations in the position of the corresponding feeler 20 and, in the preferred embodiment of the clamping device, we have provided a relatively thin vertically disposed clamping head which is disposed forwardly of the corresponding feeler device 20 and extends transversely of the path of travel of the sheet or strip of toweling or web material T. Of course, the length of the clamping head 50A is relatively short as compared to the width of the sheet of toweling T and is adapted to, at times, clamp the sheet of toweling T against the table adjacent the corresponding selvage or longitudinal side edge thereof.

The clamping head 50 preferably has a strip of resilient material 51, such as rubber or the like, suitably secured thereto and which is formed in the shape of the letter U and ts against the rounded edge of the clamping member 50 to thereby present a relatively narrow rounded and resilient surface for clamping the sheet of toweling T against the table or platform 10. It is also preferable that the outer surface of the U-shaped pressure applying member 51 is roughened or stippled as shown in Figures 2 and 3 to thereby insure that the strip or sheet of toweling T will not slip past the U-shaped member 51 when Vit is in lowered position although the member 51 may be forced downwardly under a minimum amount of pressure.

In this instance, the clamping head 50 has a flange 52 on the upper end thereof which is suitably secured to the lower end of a ram or piston rod 53. The piston rod 53 slidably penetrates a cylinder base 54 of a cylinder assembly broadly designated at 55. The cylinder assembly 55 also comprises a cylinder tube 56 and a cylinder head 57, the cylinder base, cylinder tube and cylinder head 57 being suitably secured together, as by tie rods 60. Disposed within the cylinder tube 56 is a suitable piston 61 to which the Vupper end of the piston rod 53 is suitably secured. The cylinder base 54 and the cylinder head 57 f have angle portions 5S and 59 integral therewith, or suitably secured thereto, which are, in turn, suitably secured to the front surface of the corresponding block 34.

There are various means by which iluid under pressure, such as compressed air, may be alternately directed into the upper and lower ends of the cylinder tube 56, the means shown being of a type such as is manufactured by the Bellows Company of Akron, Ohio, and which is known as their model EV electroaire valve and is clearly illustrated in their Manual 'entitled Specifications and Dimensional Data (revised March 30, 1951) Bellows model BEM air-powered electrically-controlled non-rotating air motors and electroaire valves. Accordingly, only so much of the control means for the fluid under pressure will be described as is necessary to a clear understanding of the present invention.

The uid pressure control units for the two cylinder assemblies 55 and 55 are generally designated at 63 and 63'. Since both of the control units 63 and 63 may be identical, only control unit 63 will be described in detail and like parts of the controlunit 63 shall bear the same reference characters with the prime notation added.

The housing of the control unit 63 has a rod 64 fixed therein which is surrounded by a pair of spaced magnetic coils 65 and 66. The proximal portions of' the coils 65 and 66 in Figure 5 are surrounded by a pair of closely spaced innerconnected substantially cupi-shaped metallic members 68 and 67, respectively, between the proximal surfaces of which the stem of a movable Valve member 71 is positioned. It will be observed in Figure 7 that the distal ends of the coils 65 and 66 have respective wires or conductors 72 and 73 connected thereto and the proximal ends of the coils 65 and 66 are connected to a common wire 74. The cylinder base 54 and cylinder head 57 have opposite ends of a tubular member 75 connected thereto and the head member 57 is provided with a pair of passageways 76 and 77 therein. One end of passageway 77 communicates with a chamber 80 in which the valve member 71 is disposed and the other end of passageway 77 communicates with the interior of the cylinder tube 56 at the upper end thereof.

The passageway 76 communicates with the tubular member 75 and the cylinder base 54 has a passageway 81 therein which establishes communication between the lower end of the tubular member 75 and thelower end of the cylinder tube 56. A pipe 82 leads from a suitable source of uid under pressure or compressed air, not shown, to the upper end of the housing of control unit 63 (Figure 5). Suitable means are usually provided with such control units, as those disclosed in said Bellows Manual, for controlling the rate at which the compressed air ows into either end of the cylinder tube 56. However, since the means for controlling the rate at which the compressed air is directed to either end of the cylinder tube 56 is not essential to the present invention, an illustration and description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

The valve member 71 is so arranged, that, upon euergization of the coil 66, the valve member 71 will shift to the right in Figure 5 to prevent compressed air from entering passageway 76, but to be exhausted therefrom as compressed air is directed from pipe 82, through the control unit 63 and, thus, through the passageway 77 and into the upper end of the cylinder tube 56 to cause the clamping head to occupy substantially the position shown in Figure 6 and to thereby clamp the corresponding portion of the sheet of toweling or web material T against the upper surface of the platform or table 10.

Of course, as the piston 61 and piston rod 53 move downwardly, the air displaced thereby is exhausted through the passageway 81, tubular member 75, passageway 76, i,

valve member 7'1 and, thus, through a suitable discharge port, not shown, which then registers with the valve member 71.

On the other hand, upon energization of the coil and de-energization of the coil 66, the cup-shaped members 67 and 68 and the valve member 71 are shifted to the left to occupy substantially the position shown in Figure 5, whereupon compressed air will pass from the pipe 82, through the housing of the control unit 63 and will be directed by the valve member 71 into the passageway 76, through tubular member and through passageway S1 into the lower end of the cylinder tube 56. It is evident that this will cause the piston 61, piston rod 53 and the clamping head 50 to move upwardly to occupy substantially the position shown in Figure 5.

It is evident that the air displaced by upward movement of the piston 61 will be exhausted through the passageway 77 and through the discharge port, not shown, since the valve member 71 then establishes communication between said discharge port and the passageway 77.

Now, in order that both of the clamping heads 50 and 50 will remain in raised or inoperative position, as shown in Figures l and 5, when both of the feeler feet 22 and 22' are in either a raised position or a lowered position and to also cause either of the clamping heads 50 or 50 to move downwardly to occupy the operative position in which the clamping head 5i) is shown in Figure 6, or in which the clamping head 5G is shown in Figure 2 in the event of only one of the feeler feet 22 being in a lowered position while the other of the feeler feet is in a raised position, we have provided a unique electrical circuit for the apparatus which will now be described.

lt will be observed in Figure 7 that the wire or conductor 74 serves as one of a pair of lead wires, the other of which is indicated at 85. Corresponding ends of lead wires 74 and 85 may be connected to a suitable source of electrical energy, not shown. The lead wire 85 has corresponding ends of wires or conductors 86, 86', 87, 87 and 9i) connected thereto. The other ends of wires 86 and 86 are connected to corresponding sides of the respective mercury switches 32 and 32 and the sides of the mercury switches 32 and 32 opposite that to which the wires 86 and 86' are connected have corresponding ends of respective wires 91 and 91 connected thereto.

The other ends of the wires 91 and 91' are connected to .One end of respective solenoid or magnetic coils 92 and 92' which are parts of magnetic or solenoid relays 93 and 93', respectively. The ends of the coils 92 and 92 opposite those to which the wires 91 and 91 are connected have one end of respective wires 94 and 94 connected thereto whose other ends are connected to terminals of a pair of normally closed switches 95 and 95', respectively. The switches 95 and 95 are parts of a time-delay-relay mechanism broadly designated at 96.

There are many different types of time-delay-relay mechanisms which may be employed to serve the purpose of the mechanism 96 and the particular mechanism shown may be of a type such as is manufactured by American Gas Accumulator Co., Elizabeth, New Jersey, under their type No. NIE-l2 and which is commonly known as an Agastat time-delay switch.

The switches 95 and 95 are fixed on a common rod or solenoid plunger 97 which is surrounded by a coil 100 to opposite ends of which wires 101 and 102 are connected. The other end of wire 102 is connected to the lead wire 74 and the other end of wire 101 is connected on one of a plurality of terminals or contacts associated with the relay 93. The plunger 97 has a stem 103 integral therewith which enters a diaphragm housing 104 in which a suitable iiexible diaphragm 105 is positioned. The housing 104 is provided with suitable jets 16, only one of which is shown, for controlling the ow of air into and out of the housing 104. A suitable spring 107 normally urges the switches 95 and 95 to closed position and, upon energization of coil 100, the switches 95 and 95 are opened and the diaphragm retards the return movement of the switches 95 and 95' to closed position, as iuiiuenced by the compression spring 107.

They relay 93 is provided with spaced switches or bars a, b, c and d and the relay 93 is provided with spaced switches or switch bars a', b', c and d. Upon the solenoid 92 being energized, the switches a, b, c and d are caused to move from left to right in Figure 7 and upon the coil 92 being energized, the switches a', b', c and d are caused to move from right to left in Figure 7.

Corresponding ends of wires 110 and 110 are connected to terminals opposite from the terminals to which wires 94 and 94 are connected at the switches 95 and 95 and the other ends of the wires 110 and 110 are connected to the wire 102.

The mercury switch 32' is shown as being tilted in Figure 7 and, thus, the coil 92 is energized while, on the other hand, the mercury 33 in the switch 32 does not engage both of the wires 86 and 91 and, therefore, the coil 92. is de-energized. When the coil 92 is deenergized, current is permitted to ow from the lead wire 85, through a wire 111, through the switch d and wire 72 to the coil 65 and thus through wires 74 and 74' to thereby cause the clamping head 50 to assume the raised or inoperative position as shown in Figure 5. Also, when the coil 92 is de-energized, the circuit is completed from wire 87 to a wire 112 and, the coil 92' being energized, the circuit will be completed at the other end of wire 112 through the switch c and, thus, through the wire 73', coil 66 and lead wire 74 to energize the coil 66' and to cause the clamping member 50' to assume the operative or lowered position as shown in Figure 2.

When the coil 92 is energized, the switch d is open, switches a and c are closed and switch b serves as a conductor between the wire 87 and a wire 113 which is also connected to the terminal of switch b' oppo site the terminal to which the wire 87' is connected. A wire 114 extends from wire 113 to one side of switch a' and the opposite side of switch a' has a wire .115 extending therefrom to the terminal of switch a opposite the terminal to which wire 101 is connected.

When switch c is closed, due to energization of coil 92, it serves as a conductor between wire 73 and a wire 116 whose other end is connected to a terminal which is engaged by the switch b' when the coil 92.is de-energized. f

It will be noted that, when the coil 92' is de-energized, switch d' serves as a conductor between wire 72 and wire 90.`

Method of operation Ithas already been described how the sheet of toweling or web material T moves across the table or platform 10 and during the course of which the feeler feet 22 and 22' rest upon the toweling or web material T. Now, when both of the feeler feet 22 and 22' are resting upon a relatively thick or pile area T-1, the mercury switches 32 and 32' are held in raised or open position to prevent current from flowing between the wires 86 and 91 and 86' and 91. Thus, both of the coils 92 and 92 of the respective relaysy 93 and 93' would be de-energized yand the switch bars or switches d and d would thus supply current to the respective coils 65 and 65 thereby causing vthe clamping devices and 50' to remain in raised or inoperative position.

Assuming that the next adjacent relatively thin transverse lineal area T-2 is biased or askew relative to the longitudinal center of the toweling or web material T, so the relatively thin transverse lineal area T-2 reaches the feeler foot 22' before it reaches the feeler foot 22, the feeler foot 22' is then permitted to move downwardly slightly while the feeler foot 22 remains in its original position.y Thus, the switch 32 would be tilted and the electrical parts would occupy substantially the position shown in Figure 7; that is, the coil 92 of relay 93' would be energized and the coil 92 of relay 93 would remain cie-energized. Thus, the circuit to coil of the control unit 63' would immediately be de-energized and the coil 66' would be energized, in the course of which current flows from the lead wire 74', through coil 66', wire 73', Vswitch c', wire 112, switch b and wire 87 to the lead wire 85.

As heretofore stated, upon energization of the coil 66', compressed air is admitted to the upper end of the cylinder tube 56 to cause the corresponding clamping head 50' to move downwardly and to clamp the corresponding portion of the web material or toweling T, adjacent the right-hand selvage thereof in Figure 2, against the platform or table 10 while permitting the opposite side portion of the toweling or web material T to con- 'tinue its forward movement until the corresponding portion of the relatively thin transverse lineal area T-Z 'registers with the feeler foot 22. Y

The feeler foot 22 is then permitted to move downwardly to also` occupy the lowered position shown in Figure 6 and to momentarily energize the coil 92 of relay '93.V At this point, yboth of the coils 92 and 92' are energized. However, immediately upon energization of the coil 92, the switch a causes energization of coil 100 of the time-delay-relay mechanism 96. This energization of coil 100 is caused by current flowing fromthe lead 'wire 85,1through wire 87', switch b', wire 113wire 114,

. 8 switch a', wire 115,` switch a and wire 101 to the coil 100 of the time-delay-relay mechanism 96. Current then flows from the coil 100 through wil-e102 to the lead wire 74. Y

Immediately upon energization of coil 100, itis evident that both switches and 95' are opened to immediately de-energize both coils 92 and 92' of the respective relays 93 and 93'. As a result, the coil 66 of the control unit 63 would not be, energized for a sucient length of time to permit the clamping member 50 to be fully lowered to operative position-or into engagement with the toweling or web material T. Of course, .upon deenergization of both of the coils 92 and 92'. by opening switches 95 and 95', this has the same effect as the opening of both of ythe switches 32 .and 32'. and the circuit would then be completed to both of the coils 65 and 65'-V to cause both of the clamping heads 50 and 50' to assume a raised or `inoperative position.

The tirne-delay-relay mechanismy should be so adjusted that the sheet of web material or toweling T will vhave moved suiciently to raise both of the foot members 22 and 22' after the skew in the web material has been corrected before the switches 95 and 95' again assume closed position, as influenced by the tension spring 107.

Now, in the event of the feeler foot 22 being lowered in advance of the feeler foot 22', due to the righthand portion of one of the transverse lineal areas T-2 in Figure 4 reaching the feeler foot 22 in advance of reaching theV feeler foot 22', the circuit also is effected in substantially the same manner as heretofore described. In order to clarify this point, however, a description of the circuit completed by the lowering of thefeeler foot 22 in advance of the feeler foot 22' will now be described.

Of course, the switch 32 is tilted due to the downward movement of the feeler foot 22 to complete the circuit to the solenoid coil 92 and, since the coil 92' is not energized at this time, the circuit cannot be completed to the coil of the time-delay-relay.mechanism 96. Thus, upon energzation of coil 92, the clamping head 50l is caused to move downwardly, since current then flows from the lead wire 85, through the wire 87', switch b',

wire 116, switch c,.wire 73, coil 66 and wire 74 to the lead wire 74', thereby'energizing the coil 66 of control unit 63 which, as heretofore stated, will cause compressed H air to enter the upper end of cylinder tube 56.

y icient length of time to permit the clamping head 50' to move downwardly to fully operative position. Of course, as heretofore stated, upon the switches 95 and 95 being opened, the circuit is broken to the coils 92 and 92', whereupon the coils 65 and 65 will again both be energized to cause both of the clamping heads 50 and 50' to assume the'raised or inoperative position and to permit the web material or toweling T to continue its normal movement across the table or platform 10.

It is thus seen that we have provided means for cor-v recting skew in relatively thin transverse lineal areas of a moving sheet of toweling or web material including feeler or detecting devices which Vrest upon the sheet of toweling orweb material for detecting the transverse lineal areas and wherein normally inoperative clamping means are provided adjacent opposite selvages or longitudinal side edges of the sheet of toweling or web material which will automatically operate to clamp the corresponding selvage portion of the web material in the event of a relatively narrow transverse lineal area adjacent one of the selvagesrnoving in advance of the opposite side of 9 the relatively thin transverse lineal area to thereby clamp the web material or toweling adjacent one selvage thereof until the other side of the transverse lineal area has moved to where the transverse lineal area extends perpendicular or at right angles to the path of travel or to the longitudinal center of the sheet of web material or toweling.

It might be stated that the delay-relay mechanism 96 is provided to insure that neither of the clamping heads i) or 59 will be lowered prematurely in the event of the leading edge of a subsequent pile area T-l causing one of the levers or 20 to close its respective switch 32 or 32' in advance of the other of the switches being closed. Although only two sets of feeler devices and clamping devices are shown, it is evident that this embodies the use of a plurality of sets of such devices and more than two sets of devices may be used for a broad sheet of material to rectify bowed transverse relatively thin areas.

In the drawings and specication, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being dened in the claims.

We claim:

l. Apparatus for maintaining transverse relatively thin lineal areas on a moving sheet of web material, having intervening relatively thick areas between said thin areas, substantially at right angles to the path of travel o f the moving sheet comprising a member over which the sheet is moved, at least two feeler devices resting upon the sheet above said member and being disposed adjacent opposite selvages, of the moving sheet and being adapted to move downwardly upon engagement by said transverse areas, a normally inoperative clamping device disposed adjacent and controlled by each ofsaid feeler devices, and means responsive to downward movement by one of the feeler devices in advance of downward movement by the other of the feeler devices for causing the clamping device corresponding to said one of the feeler devices to clamp the corresponding selvage portion of the sheet of web material against said member until the feeler devices are both simultaneously in downward position in engagement with a common transverse lineal area.

2. Apparatus for maintaining alternately arranged transverse thick and thin lineal areas on a moving sheet of web material at uniform angular relationship to the path of travel of the moving sheet comprising a pair of transversely spaced feeler devices one pressing against the sheet adjacent each selvage thereof and being adapted to move inwardly and outwardly against the sheet to detect the presence of said respective thin and thick transverse areas, a normally inoperative clamping device normally spaced from one side of the sheet adjacent each selvage thereof and being controlled by a corresponding one of said feeler devices, a stationary member engaging the opposite side of the sheet relative to the clamping devices, and means responsive to the detection of the leading edge of one of said transverse lineal areas by one of the feeler devices in advance of detection of said leading edge by the other of the feeler devices for causing the clamping device corresponding to said one of the feeler devices to clamp the corresponding selvage portion of the sheet of web material against said stationary member until the feeler devices are both simultaneously in engagement with a common transverse lineal area.

3. Apparatus for maintaining transverse lineal areas of a thickness varying with respect to intervening areas on a moving sheet of web material at right angles, to the path of travel of the moving sheet comprising a pair of relatively movable transversely spaced feeler devices, one urged against the sheet adjacent each selvage thereof for detecting the presence of said transverse areas, a clamping device normally spaced from the sheet adjacent each selvage thereof, and means responsive to the detection of the leading edge of one of said transverse areas by one of the feeler devices in advance of the other of the feeler devices for causing the clamping device corresponding to the said one of the feeler devices to move into engagement with and clamp the corresponding selvage portion of the sheet of web material until the feeler devices are both simultaneously engaged by the transverse lineal area.

4. Apparatus for maintaining transverse lineal areas on a moving sheet of web material substantially at right angles to the path of travel of the moving sheet comprising a plurality of feeler devices arranged'above the web material and in a row extending substantially at right angles to the path of travel of the web material, each feeler device adapted to detect the presence of each successive transverse area, a separate normally elevated clamping device disposed adjacent and controlled by each of said feeler devices, means responsive to the detection of the leading edge of one of said transverse areas by at least one of the feeler devices in advance of detection of the leading edge of the transverse area by any other of the feeler devices for causing the clamping device corresponding to said one of the feeler devices to move downwardly and clamp the corresponding portion of the sheet of web material, and means operable automatically when the feeler devices are all simultaneously in engagement with the transverse lineal area for releasing the web material from any previously lowered clamping device.

5. Apparatus for correcting skew of relatively narrow and thin transverse lineal areas in a moving sheet of web material having intervening relatively thick areas between the relatively thin areas comprising a table across which the web material is drawn, first and second feeler devices having respective first and second feeler feet resting upon the web material adjacent opposite longitudinal side edges thereof, iirst and second electrically controlled reciprocable clamping devices disposed adjacent respective longitudinal side edges of the web material and adjacent the respective first and second feeler devices, means responsive to downward movement of the first feeler foot in advance of downward movement of the second feeler foot, resulting from engagement of the rst feeler foot with a relatively thin area of the web material, for energizing the electrically controlled first clamping device to cause the same to clamp the corresponding portion of the web material while permitting the opposite longitudinal side edge of the web material to continue its movement, and means operable automatically upon subsequent lowering of the second feeler foot for de-energizing the previously energized clamping device and to release the web material therefrom.

6. In a structure according to claim 5, a time-delay mechanism interposed in an electrical circuit connecting the feeler devices with the clamping devices and being operable to maintain both said clamping devices inoperative for a predetermined period following each time either clamping device is energized and subsequently de-energized.

l 7. Apparatus for correcting skew of relatively narrow and thin transverse lineal areas in a moving sheet of pli.- able web material having intervening relatively thick areas between the relatively thin areas comprising a table across which the web material is drawn, a row of feeler devices arranged transversely of the path of travel of the web material and each having a feeler f oot resting upon the web material, an electrically controlled normally inoperative reciprocable clamping device disposed adjacent each feeler device, means responsive to downward movement of any of the feeler feet in advance of down- Ward movement of any of the other feeler feet resulting from engagementv of any of said feler feet with a relatively tliin area for energizing the electrically controlled clamping device associated with each lowered feeler foot to cause the same to clamp the corresponding portion of the web material while permitting the unclampedportion of the web material to continue its movement, and means operable automatically .upon subsequent lowering of all theremaining feeler feet for de-energizing all the formerly energized clamping devices to thereby release the web material therefrom.

8. In a structure according to claim 7, means for maintaining all of said clamping devices inoperative for a predetermined period following each time any of said clamping devices may be energized and subsequently de-energized.

9. Apparatus for straightening askewed transverse relatively thin linear areas in a moving sheet of web material having intervening relatively thick areas between said relatively thin areas comprising a platform over which the web material passes, lirst and second feeler devices spaced transversely of the path of travel of the web material and having means for detecting the presence of thick and thin areas adjacent opposite selvages of the web material passing therebeneath, first and second clamping devices disposed adjacent opposite longitudinal side edges of the web material and adjacent the respective first and second feeler devices, means responsive to the detection of relatively thick areas by said feeler devices for maintaining the clamping devices in inoperative position, means. responsive to the detection of a relatively thin area by either of the feeler devices in advance of detection of a relatively thin area by the other of the feeler devices for operating the respective clamping device to thereby clamp the corresponding side portion of the web material to restrain movement thereof as the opposite side portion of the web material continues its movement, and means responsive to subsequent detection of a relatively thin area by the other of the feeler devices for rendering the previously operative clamping device inoperative.

lO. In a structure according to claim 9, means for maintaining both clamping devices inoperative for a predetermined period following detection of a relatively thin area by both feeler devices to thereby prevent subsequent operation of either clamping device in the event of one feeler device subsequently detecting a thick area in advance of the other feeler device.

ll. Apparatus for straightening skewed or bowed transverse relatively thinlineal areas in a moving sheet of pliable web material having intervening relatively thick areas between said relatively thin areas comprising a platform over which the web material passes, a plurality of feeler devices spaced transversely of the path of travel of the web material and each having'separate means for detecting me presence of thick and thin areas in the web material passing therebeneath, a separate vertically reciprocable clamping device disposed adjacent each feeler device and above the web material, means respon-V sive to the detection of relatively thick areas by said feeler devices for maintaining the clamping devices in raised position, means responsive to the detection of a relatively thin area by any one or more of the feeler devices in advance of detection of a relatively thin area by any other of the feeler devices for lowering the corresponding clamping device to thereby clamp the corresponding portion of the web material against the platform to restrain movement thereof as the unclamped portion of the web material continues its movement, and means responsive to subsequent detection of a relatively thin area by the remaining of the feeler devices for raising the previously lowered clamping device.

l2. ln a structure according to claim ll, means for maintaining said clamping devices in raised position for a predetermined period following each cycle in operation of any one or more of the clamping devices to thereby prevent the lowering of any of the clamping devices in the event of one or more feeler devices being raised in advance of another feeler device.

13. In a structure according to claim .11, each of said clamping devices having a relatively thin and short transversely extending clamping head on its lower end, and

a resilient pressure applying Vmember on the lower end of each clamping head.

14. In a structure according to claim 13, each of said resilient pressure applying members having a roughened outer surface to maintain traction between the same and the web material while in lowered position.

l5. Apparatus for straightening skewed transverse relatively thin lineal areas in a moving sheet of web material having intervening relatively thick areas between said relatively thin areas comprising a platform over which the web material passes, rst and second feeler devices spaced transversely of the path of travel of the web material and having means for detecting the presence of thick and thin areas adjacent opposite selvages of the web material passing therebeneath, rst and second vertically reciprocable clamping devices disposed inwardly of and adjacent opposite longitudinal side edges of the web material, means responsive to the detection of relatively thick areas by said feeler devices for maintaining the clamping devices in raised inoperative position spaced above said sheet, means responsive to the detection of a relatively thin area by either of the feeler devices in advance of detection of a relatively thin area by the other of the feeler devices for moving the corresponding clamping device downwardly to thereby clamp the corresponding side portion of the web material to restrain movement thereof as the opposite side portion of the web material continues its movement, and means responsive to subsequent detection of a relatively thin area by the other of the feeler devices for returning the previously lowered clamping device to raised position.

16. Apparatus for maintaining spaced relatively thin transverse lineal areas of a moving web perpendicular to the path of travel of the web and wherein the web is provided with intervening relatively thick areas between said relatively thin areas comprising a platform across which thel web is moved, rst and second clamping devices normally spaced above andrinwardly of opposite longitudinal side edges of the web, each of the clamping devices being provided with a first electrically operable means for raising the same, each of said clamping devices also having a second electrically operable means for lowering the same for clamping the corresponding portion of the web against the platform, rstrand second feeler devices disposed adjacent the respective first and second clamping devices, each of the feeler devices including a feeler foot resting upon the web adjacent the corresponding longitudinal side edge thereof, means responsive to a relatively thin area reaching the rst feeler device in advance of reaching the second feeler device for energizing the second electrically operable means of the rst clamping device to thereby clamp the corresponding side portion of the web to restrain movement thereof while the opposite side portion of the web continues its movement, means responsive to the relatively thin area subsequently reaching the second feeler device for de-energizing the second electrically operable means of the first clamping device and for substantially simultaneously energizing the first electrical operable means of both thel first and second clamping devices to cause the first clamping device to release the web, and means responsive to relatively thick areas passing beneath the feet of the feeler devices for maintaining the first electrically operable means of both the first and second clamping devices energized while rendering the second electrically operable means of both clamping devices de-energized to thereby maintain both the rst and second clamping devices in raised position.

l7. Apparatus for maintaining spaced relatively thin transverse lineal areas of a moving web substantially perpendicular to the path of travel of the web and wherein' the web is provided with intervening relatively thick areas between said relatively thin areas comprising a platform across which the Web is moved, first and second clamping devices normally spaced above and inwardly of opposite longitudinal side edges of the web, each of the clamping devices being provided with a rst electrically operable means for raising the same, each of said clamping devices also having electrically operable means for lowering the same for clamping the corresponding side portion of the web against the platform, iirst and second feeler devices disposed adjacent the respective first and second clamping devices and each of the feeler devices including a feeler foot resting upon the web adjacent the corresponding longitudinal side edge thereof, means responsive to the relative vertical movement of the feeler devices for energizing the second electrically operable means of the I clamping device adjacent the then lowermost of the feeler devices to thereby clamp the corresponding side portion of the web to restrain movement thereof while the opposite side portion of the web continues its movement, means responsive to the subsequent lowering of the other of the feeler devices to substantially the level of said lowermost feeler device for de-energizing the previously energized second electrically operable means and for substantially simultaneously energizing the rst electrically operable means of both the irst and second clamping devices to cause the previously lowered clamping device to release the web, and means for maintaining the rst electrically operable means of both the rst and second clamping devices energized while rendering the second electrically operable means of both clamping devices de-energized for a predetermined interval following the lowering of both feeler devices to substantially the same level to prevent energization of either of the second electrically operable means in the event of one of the feeler devices subsequently being raised in advance of the other during said interval.

18. Apparatus for maintaining transverse lineal areas of a thickness varying with respect to intervening areas on a moving sheet of web material at right angles to the path of travel of the moving sheet comprising a stationary member past which one side of the sheet moves, a pair of relatively movable transversely spaced feeler devices, one urged against the sheet adjacent each selvage thereof for detecting the presence of said transverse areas, a clamping device normally spaced from the side of the sheet opposite from the stationary member and adjacent each selvage of the sheet, and means responsive to the detection of the leading edge of one of said transverse areas by one of the feeler devices in advance of the other of the feeler devices for causing the clamping device corresponding to the said one of the feeler devices to clamp the corresponding selvage portion of the sheet of web material against said stationary member until the feeler devices are both simultaneously engaged by the transverse lineal area.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,412,980 Tackaberry Apr. 18, 1922 2,233,644 Smiley Mar. 4, 1941 2,638,656 Tuttle et al May 19, 1953 2,698,982 Smith et al. Jan. 11, 1955 

